The Kirkus Prize is one of the richest literary awards in the world, with a prize of $50,000 bestowed annually to authors of fiction, nonfiction and young readers’ literature. It was created to celebrate the 81 years of discerning, thoughtful criticism Kirkus Reviews has contributed to both the publishing industry and readers at large. Books that earned the Kirkus Star with publication dates between November 1, 2014, and October 31, 2015 (see FAQ for exceptions), are automatically nominated for the 2015 Kirkus Prize, and the winners will be selected on October 15, 2015, by an esteemed panel composed of nationally respected writers and highly regarded booksellers, librarians and Kirkus critics.

KIRKUS REVIEW

In this entry in the First Choice Chapter Book series, Poploff (Busy O'Brien and the Caterpillar Punch Bunch, 1992, etc.) divides an easy-to-read story into several scenes about Amy and Kim, who are enjoying a tea party. The story begins with the delivery of the invitation (``P.S. No brothers or sisters allowed'') and moves along with the inclusion of plenty of lighthearted details. The pinnacle of the occasion is the cupcakes with pink icing, to be served at just the right moment, on special china with specially decorated napkins. The girls are good friends, listening to Amy's stomach gurgle and getting goofy with soap bubbles in the sink. They are not too crushed when they find that Kim's brother has fed the picnic to himself and the dog because this book is not going to have an unhappy ending, and there are more cupcakes for the girls in the kitchen. The emphasis on the friendship is the book's strongest quality, with genial illustrations that will soothe those who like their tea parties simple and sweet. (Fiction. 6-9)

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